The Business Council of Westchester continues to review federal, state and county legislation and regulations in order to assess the potential impact on the business community, to influence the outcomes through advocacy when the business community’s interest may be affected, and to act as an information resource and clearinghouse for the business community and for government leaders at all levels.

The GACl uses a variety of methods to educate and communicate with members to gather support for its legislative agenda and at the same time influence elected officials and public policy executives.

Advocacy efforts include the following:

• The Governmental Action Council works to educate the membership regarding critical legislative issues and their impact on businesses through articles including, but not limited to, Westchester Commerce, Vision, The Westchester Business Journal, our website and at the Council’s myriad events.
• Participation in advocacy actions with The Business Council of New York State, the Chamber Alliance of New York State and the US Chamber of Commerce.
• Hosting the Westchester delegation and key legislative committee members during our annual lobbying visit to Albany.
• Implementing quarterly meetings with the County Board of Legislators to review spending patterns by functional area. Positioning the Council to advocate for its interests in the 2006 Budget in partnership with the Westchester County Board of Realtors, The Building and Realty Institute and The Construction Industry Council.
• Preparing sound bites and press releases for media contacts on significant issues that impact our Legislative Agenda.
• Creating position papers on key Legislative Agenda items. Use specific, quantifiable examples or “war stories” from the membership to illustrate how laws or regulations impact their business.
• Working with The Business Council of New York State to further develop and enhance the Report Card system that was implemented in 2004 to grade legislators on their support (or lack thereof) for business issues.
• Increasing the level and frequency of personal contacts with legislators and their staffs to raise the visibility of the Council.
• Sponsoring meetings/breakfasts/dinners with key elected and public officials to provide a forum for these officials to address Westchester County business leaders.
• Positioning the Council as part of the solution to key member concerns so that we are a source of information.
• Participating in the Small Business Day in Albany and New York Day in Washington, DC.
• Working with other Chambers and The Business Council of New York State to highlight the contributions of business in an effort to establish a business-friendly environment.
• Publishing and promote the results of our economic impact survey which highlights the economic impact and contributions our members make to the economies of Westchester and New York State
• Exploring ways to identify members by voting district so that more targeted advocacy efforts can be implemented.
• Reaching out to community leaders to enhance visibility for the needs of the business community.
• Expanded e-advocacy campaigns to enable members to directly contact elected officials on priority issues
• Continuing to embrace the need for more substantive reform in Albany regarding the legislative and budget processes. Investigating ways to engage our largest corporate members, especially those that have government affairs departments, on our legislative agenda.

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